Wednesday, January 28, 2015

52 Weeks of Bronze Pendants - Week 2

We are starting something new with this weeks post... I have decided to debut all these new bronze designs in a very "small batch" to see the response to the new designs. The featured jewelry designs will have a link where you can purchase them each week. They will only be available in "small batches" for now and when they sell out, they sell out. I will gauge the response on the sales and will determine which pieces to add to my collection for the shop and for upcoming shows.



January 27th, 2015:
At first I thought the antique button I used for this pendant was a "Lacy" glass button, but, after reading up on "Lacy" glass I have decided that it isn't. I do believe the fine, detailed pattern would be classified as a "Lacy" pattern but to be a true "Lacy" the button would need to be clear or transparent glass and it would also need to be painted from the back.
"Lacy" buttons are some of my favorite. The detailed patterns featured on these tiny pieces of art is swoonworthy! I might also be a little bit obsessed with Czech glass-- or all glass for that matter. See more on "Lacy" buttons below!
If you are interested in purchasing a pair of these earrings you can find them on my website.



Glass button used to make the mold for the bronze pendants.


More info on these wonderful glass buttons. 
All information was found on www.antiquebuttons.nl 

"The Age of Lacy Glass Buttons 1860-1910"
  Lacy Glass buttons were mainly made in Austria and Bohemia (now Czechoslovakia), which were the leading European glass manufacturing centre until World War II, some were also made in France and southern Germany. Lacy Glass buttons are named after the fine stippled pressed glass that you have just heard about. The difference is that Lacy Glass buttons are extremely delicate and finely detailed, relatively flat and mostly made of clear glass, - small part were made of transparent collared glass: blue, red, soft pink, amethyst, yellow, amber and green. Today many moulded glass buttons are called Lacy Glass, but to be a true Lacy Glass button, it must have 2 - 3 layers of paint applied to the back, which is quite smooth. First but not always - paint applied in matching design to the back, then a layer of metallic or non-metallic paint often silver grey, and as protection - a coat of black paint (gold and silver are also seen). Some buttons have additional lustre or iridescent coating.
  Though the technique of making pressed Lacy Glass in metal moulds was developed in America in the 1820’s, buttons were not made there at that time.
Lacy Glass buttons should be defined in terms of construction rather than surface pattern, since Lacy patterns were used on other glass buttons, which are not classed as Lacy Glass. What distinguishes Lacy buttons from others with similar patterns is the paint applied to the back, which is to be seen through the clear or transparent glass. Unfortunately, many Lacy Glass buttons have lost their paint, either the paint has become fragile with age and is often flaked or zealous collectors in the early days were eager to ascribe them to the Sandwich glass works. Therefore they are far more valuable now with the original paint - even in fair condition.
They were made in 3 sizes, - medium being the most rare.
Small ca. 1,4 cm,  Medium 2,2 - 2,7,  Large ca. 3,1"
 

2 comments:

  1. Good to read this post 52 Weeks of Bronze Pendants - Week 2. Here I got wonderful design of Glass button used to make the mold for the bronze pendants. I have to say that you had done great job.


    statement jewelry

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  2. Your jewelry is beautiful! Handmade jewelries are my favorite; they always have their own little story to how they came about. Thank you for doing the research about the Lacy Glass button also, instead of just assuming. As a handmade jewelry collector that means everything to know that the creator of my jewelry took extra time with each piece!

    Brandi Bradley @ Rotax Metals

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